Jaguars RB Etienne tackled for first time since Clemson, has strong showing in practice

Jaguars running back Travis Etienne got the ball from Trevor Lawrence and looked like he was immediately bottled up. White jerseys surrounded the second-year player and seemed to stop his progress.

But then, in a sight most training camp goers are accustomed to, Etienne found a sliver of daylight and turned it into a big play. He shrugged off a would-be tackler and danced his way through the swarm of defenders.

Etienne fled toward the outskirts of the field and skated down the left sideline, picking up first down yardage on the first play from scrimmage.

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He had the option of stepping out of bounds but declined it, opting to take whatever punishment waited as Andre Cisco barreled toward him.

Cisco dropped his shoulder and leveled Etienne, blasting him out of bounds and stopping his progress.

It was the first time Etienne had been tackled in that manner in more than a year and there was a moment of shock after the play.

The offensive players started to swarm to the area where the hit was levied, but before they could get there, Etienne was back on his feet and trotting to the huddle.

It was a pattern that continued throughout the increasingly fiery morning practice.

Etienne got the ball, took an aggressive hit, shook the hit off and moved on to the next play.

Rinse, wash, repeat.

“Since my last Clemson game, this is the first time I’ve been tackled,” he said during his media availability after practice. “I see why I fell in love with the game. I just love that adrenaline. I love getting hit. I just love being physical. Quickly, I was reminded that this is a physical game.”

Death Valley duo

During Lawrence’s first media availability this fall, he fielded a question from an uncredentialed — but not unfamiliar — member of the scrum.

The person raised their hand and proceeded to ask Lawrence about sharing a backfield with his former Clemson teammate, Etienne, again as a smile slid across the person’s face.

The person was Etienne, crashing his longtime quarterback’s press conference, to which Lawrence couldn’t help but smile. Etienne went on to joke about using Lawrence’s towel in the huddle to dry off his hands, one of the many layers of the relationship between the two.

The duo has been sharing a backfield for the better part of four years. They won a national title together, competed for two more and were a part of a historic run at Clemson. But last year with Etienne’s preseason injury, Lawrence had to brave the NFL season alone.

He had to carry the torch for many poor performances and distractions as the Jaguars tried to navigate a disastrous season.

In April, Etienne joked about missing last season, saying: “Just seeing the results, you’re definitely like, ‘Whew, if there was any year to miss, I missed a great one.’”

The time away might’ve helped him more than it’s hurt him. He was able to grow and learn about how the NFL works while recovering from his Lisfranc injury that kept him out the duration of the season.

And when OTA’s and mandatory minicamp began over the summer, Etienne stood out more than any other player. The same can be said for the early portions of training camp. He made enough of an impression that Lawrence took notice and gave his perspective on the running back when asked.

"Honestly, I think he looks like he's in better shape than I thought he was our last year at Clemson,” the second-year quarterback said. “I mean, obviously he was great, played great, all that. He was fine. But I think right now like he looks; his body looks great. I think he's running really well. He's picking up the offense, done a great job, and protections, all the all those things that we're asking him to do. He's done a great job."

Hell yeah, he’s ready to play

The last time Etienne saw game action was the second week of preseason in 2021 against the Saints. He was in for three plays before being taken out of the game with what turned out to be a season-ending injury. He said the recovery process was an experience he wouldn’t wish on his worst enemy.

As a running back, he’s embraced that contact was a part of the game for him. For him to not be able to move on his own and go so long without being tackled, Sunday’s practice meant a lot to him.

“I need to get tackled just to get my body back acclimated with that,” he said. “I’ve just been at home, working out, chilling on the couch, stuff like that, so to come out here and get some bumps and bruises. I miss that contact. It may sound crazy, but I miss kind of being in those car crashes.”

A car crash isn’t too far off from the sound their pads made when Cisco smashed into him. But Etienne received all the indication he needed when he was able to bounce up off the grass and move on to the next play.

For all of his speed and agility, his endurance is what’s needed with James Robinson still going through a recovery process of his own, and no clear third option at running back emerging.

That’s why when he bumped his leg Sunday, Lawrence made sure to send him to the sideline. It was minor but they didn’t want to take any chances. And it’s also why he may only see limited reps throughout the preseason, if any.

Etienne was one of several players held out of Jacksonville’s first preseason game last week. There hasn’t been any indication on if starters will play and how much time they’ll get if they do see game action.

One thing is clear: He wants to get back on the field.

“Yes sir. I feel like I haven’t played in forever,” he said on if he wants to play against the Browns on Friday. “Any chance I get to showcase my skill, I’m ready. Hell yeah, I want to play.”

Whether the opportunity comes this week against the Browns, next week against the Steelers, the following week against the Falcons, or during the regular season, Etienne says he’ll be ready. Sunday’s practice proves he’s probably right.

Juston Lewis is a sports reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @JustonLewis_.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars running back Travis Etienne is ready to get back on NFL field